Hot-air bath



'(No Model.)

I'. A. D. DE DUNILAO.

HoT AIR BATH.

Patented' Apr. 21, 189.6...

llNir'n FREDERIC AUGUSTE DUBOIS DE DUNILAC, OF PARIS, FRANCE, ASSIGNORTO VICTOR AUGUSTE CHARLES NOEL, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

HOT-AIR BATH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 558,677, dated April21, 1896. Application filed May 13, 1892. Serial No. 432,823. (Nomodel.) Patented in England April 4, 1892, No. 6,487.

To all whom it may con/cern:

Be it known that I, FREDERIC AUGUSTE DUBOIS DE DUNILAC, a citizen ofFrance, and a resident of Paris, France, have invented certain new andusef ul Improvements in IIot-Air Baths, Combined with Electric,Magnetic, or Electromagnetic Devices, (for which Letters Patent of GreatBritain were granted me April 4, 1892, No. 6,487,) of which thefollowing is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being hadto the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference markedthereon.

My invention has for its object the giving of hotair baths to personswhile lying in bed and subjecting such persons to electric, 1nagnetic,or electromagnetic influences while undergoing such baths.

These baths are technically known to the medical profession asaero-thermal baths, and are recognized as of the greatest importance inthe treatment of diseases directly or indirectly affecting the functionsof the skin; but-they have not heretofore been considered practicablebecause of the difficulty ofcarrying the paraphernalia necessary forsuch a bath to the patient, or because of the danger or diiiicultyinvolved in the removal of the patient to the place where theconveniences for taking such a bath could be had. Y

My invention consists of simple devices which can be readily transportedfrom place to place and utilized wherever means for heating purposesexist, substantially as hereinafter fully described, and as illustratedin the drawings, in which- Figure l represents a front elevation of myinvention. Fig. 2 is a cross-section, taken on a line l 2, of theapparatus, showing the magneto-electric devices applied thereto. Fig. 3is a front elevation of a companion heater for that shown in Fig. l.tional view of the form of heater shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is across-section therethrough. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of theheatingbrick; and Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a bed, showing themanner of applying my invention thereto.

Referring to the drawings, a represents an oblong box, of wood or othersuitable maten Fig. 4 is a cross-secrial, which is preferably lined withsheet-iron or other suitable material o and is closed on all sidesexcept one, and that one preferably one of its longitudinal verticalsides. This box is of such interior dimensions that it is capable ofreceiving, preferably, two bricks c c, placed end to end, a slightdistance apart. It is not necessary for the depth of the box or itslength to be more than sufficient to permit of the bricks c to be easilyhoused therein and to permit of the free circulation of the hot airaround them.

The bricks c are of a peculiar construction, particularly adapted to thepurposes of my invention, the requirements of which necessitate theretention of the heat and absorptive qualities, as will hereinafter bemore fully explained. The bricks are therefore made of some porousabsorptive clays or other suitable material, and are glazed or vitriiiedon all of their surfaces except their upper horizontal surface, which ispreferably unglazed. These bricks do not preferably rest directly on thebottom of the box a, but upon wooden blocks or strips c', so as topermit of atmospheric circulation under them. Resting upon these bricksc is a water-pan C, which is of a length and breadth preferably slightlygreater than the aggregate length and breadth of the bricks it restsupon and of such a height that when placed on the bricks in the box a itreaches nearly to the roof thereof. This water-pan C is closed on allsides, but has a suitable closed drain-outlet at one end, and

.is provided on that longitudinal side next the open side of the box awith one or more small openings f, which are covered with wiregauze andare provided with guards g, screwed to the inner side of the pan C insuch manner as to prevent the water from spilling out.

Now when the bricks o have been heated in a stove or furnace to anysuitable degree and are placed in the box and the Water-pan placed inthe box upon the bricks, the wire 9 screen or Wire-gauze door d isclosed against the open side of the box a. The dry heat from the brickssoon causes the water to throw off vapors, which, issuing from the pan,commingle with the dry heat and become equall'OO ized in temperaturewith the same in the exit from the box through the screen or wire-gauzedoor d.

Referring to Fig. 7, it will be observed that I prefer to use three ofthese boxes, one a (hereinbefore described) on one side of the patient,another c (similar to box a) on the other side of the patient, andanother a (also similar to box a) at the foot of the patient.

The bed-clothing is, after the boxes are arranged, quickly thrown overthe patient in such manner as to exclude the outside atmosphere as muchas possible, and the sudden heat soon raises the temperature of thepatient to such an extent as to open the pores of the skin, and causesprofuse perspiration.

If desired, the water in the pan may be medicated. Vhen this is done, itis obvious that the receptivity of the skin is greatly increased and theabsorption of the medicant into lthe system, through the skin, isgreatly facilitated.

Now I am aware that warming-pans and hot-water bags have been known andused as of old. any vapor, medicated or otherwise, and can only beutilized where a limited degree of heat is required.

Referring to the arrangement shown in Fig. 7, it will be noticed that onbox c/I place an electric battery E, the electrodes of which can beconveniently grasped in the hands or be applied to different parts ofthe body of the patient while taking a bath. \Vhile I prefer the use ofthis battery, it is not absolutely essential. If desired, I can use anordinary horseshoe-magnet '11 in conjunction with my improved apparatus.In this event I prefer to place it on top of the water-pan These howevercannot throw off' C, about midway its length, and so that the poles ofthe magnet project ont slightly beyond the plane of the screen-door d,through a suitable opening in the door made with reference thereto.

IV hat I claim as new is- 1. The combination with a suitable portablelined box normally open on one side only, of the heating-bricks placedtherein, and a water-pan resting on said bricks and normally closed onall sides with the exception of screen-covered openings in the frontthereof which are provided with suitable guards, as set forth.

2.- The combination with a suitably-lined box normally open on one sideonly, of the heating-bricks glazed or vitriiied on all sides except itsupper side, which are placed in said box, and a water-pan resting onsaid bricks and normally closed on all sides with the exception ofsuitable openings in the front thereof.

The combination with a suitably-lined portable box normally open on oneside only, of the heating-bricks glazed or vitriiied on all sides exceptits upper side, which are placed in said box, and a water-pan resting onsaid bricks having openings in its front which are covered by suitablescreening, and are provided with guards g, as described.

The foregoing specification of my improvement in hot-air baths withcombined electric magnetic or electromagnetic devices signed by me this26th day of December, 1801.

FREDERIC AUGUSTE DUBOIS DE DUNILAC.

XVitnesses:

WILSON P. Born, ALBERT MOREAU.

